Jlloyd Samuel

Born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, Samuel grew up in London and as a youth he played for Sunday league team Senrab, lining up in 1994 alongside future England internationals John Terry and Jermain Defoe.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3580385.stm| title=Lessons from Senrab's soccer school| work=BBC Sport| date=30 March 2004| first=Sarah| last=Holt| access-date=20 February 2006| archive-date=29 April 2004| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429162435/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3580385.stm| url-status=live}} He was released from West Ham United on the same day as Paul Konchesky, Bobby Zamora (both of whom later returned to the Hammers) and Fitz Hall.{{cite magazine|first = Sam| last=Pilger|date=October 2003|title = The Boy's A Bit Special|magazine = FourFourTwo|issue = 110|page = 31}}

He signed for Aston Villa in July 1997 as a youth training scheme trainee, spending the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons in their youth team. Samuel's Aston Villa debut came in a second-round second-leg League Cup match against Chester City on 21 September 1999, which finished 5–0 in Aston Villa's favour. He replaced Gareth Barry after 51 minutes at Villa Park. On 25 March 2000, due to an injury to England international Gareth Southgate, he made his league debut in a 2–0 home win over Derby County, playing in central defence.

Samuel was loaned to First Division club Gillingham, where he made seven full appearances and one substitute appearance between 25 October and 3 December 2001. After he returned to Villa, the team's starting right-back, Mark Delaney, suffered an injury and Samuel filled his position; after the Welshman returned, Samuel was given a favoured left-back position. He reflected in a 2013 interview that his versatility helped him become a regular starter: "If you're just in one position and you're out of favour, you won't play. But if you can play in a variety of roles, it widens your options".

In the 2003–04 season, Samuel played every minute as Villa came 6th in the Premier League. He scored his first professional goal on 20 September 2003 against his former club Charlton, from 19 yards to give Villa a 2–1 victory.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3084352.stm|title=Villa edge past Charlton|work=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2003|access-date=24 October 2009|archive-date=23 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023104735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3084352.stm|url-status=live}} He scored again in the reverse fixture at The Valley on 27 March 2004, which the Villans won by the same score.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3552931.stm|title=Charlton 1–2 Aston Villa|work=BBC Sport|date=27 March 2004|access-date=24 October 2009|archive-date=14 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214011729/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3552931.stm|url-status=live}} That season he also scored on 27 January in a 2–0 League Cup semi-final second leg win over his future club Bolton Wanderers, who advanced 5–4 on aggregate.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3417689.stm|title=Aston Villa 2–0 Bolton|work=BBC Sport|date=27 January 2004|access-date=3 November 2009|archive-date=19 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219111712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3417689.stm|url-status=live}}

Towards the end of his time at the Birmingham-based club, Samuel lost his place in the team as managers David O'Leary and Martin O'Neill opted for the Dutchman Wilfred Bouma to play in his position.{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Paul|title=The Big Interview: Jlloyd Samuel - I was praying Villa would stay up|url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2013/05/30/the-big-interview-jlloyd-samuel---i-was-praying-villa-would-stay-up|access-date=17 May 2018|publisher=Aston Villa F.C.|date=30 May 2013|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054544/https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2013/05/30/the-big-interview-jlloyd-samuel---i-was-praying-villa-would-stay-up|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Samuel: I'll battle Bouma|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/samuel-ill-battle-bouma-13236|access-date=17 May 2018|work=Birmingham Mail|date=5 September 2005|archive-date=18 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054541/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/samuel-ill-battle-bouma-13236|url-status=live}}

File:Jlloyd Samuel.png in 2008]]

Samuel signed a four-year contract with Bolton Wanderers on 1 July 2007, Sammy Lee's first signing as Bolton manager.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/6611023.stm| title=Samuel departs Villa for Bolton|work=BBC Sport| date=25 May 2007}} He played in every Bolton match in the 2008–09 season, and 71 matches in total during his time at the club.

On 24 March 2011, Samuel joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season wearing shirt number 21, as cover for the injured Mark Hudson. He had not played a game for Wanderers' during the 2010–11 season due to injury,{{cite news|url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2323461,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630225652/http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2323461%2C00.html |archive-date=30 June 2012 |title=Jlloyd Samuel Loan Confirmed |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} and was released at the end of the season, bringing his four years at the club to an end.{{cite web|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/9045783.New_deal_for_Blake/?|title=New deal for Blake|date=24 May 2011|work=The Bolton News|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-date=29 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529052911/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/9045783.New_deal_for_Blake/|url-status=live}}

Samuel joined Leeds United, managed by his former Aston Villa teammate Simon Grayson, on trial on 19 July 2011.{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.leedsunited.com/news/20110719/trialist-trio-in-united-squad-at-rochdale_2247585_2396751 |title=Trialist Trio in United Squad at Rochdale |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=3 December 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was included in the squad against Rochdale the same evening. He came off the bench at the start of the second half in a match Leeds won by a single first half goal from Max Gradel. Samuel was released from the trial after picking up an injury.{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.leedsunited.com/news/20110719/gradel-goal-downs-the-dale_2247585_2396564 |title=Gradel Goal Downs The Dale |publisher=Leeds United F.C. |access-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225644/http://origin-www.leedsunited.com/news/20110719/gradel-goal-downs-the-dale_2247585_2396564 |archive-date=3 March 2016}} On 30 July 2011, Samuel played for 79 minutes on trial for West Ham United in their final pre-season game against Real Zaragoza which West Ham won 2–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110730/west-ham-united-2-0-real-zaragoza-ft_2236884_2405726 |title=West Ham United 2–0 Real Zaragoza FT |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |date=30 July 2011 |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929013517/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110730/west-ham-united-2-0-real-zaragoza-ft_2236884_2405726 |archive-date=29 September 2012 }} However, West Ham decided against offering him a permanent contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/davies-defends-jussi-after-blunder-868909|title=Davies defends Jussi after blunder|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|date=23 August 2011|access-date=3 December 2013|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224449/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/davies-defends-jussi-after-blunder-868909|url-status=live}}

File:Jlloyd Samuel 2013.jpg in a 2013 AFC Champions League match against Al-Ain]]

On 31 December 2011, Samuel joined Iran Pro League side, Esteghlal, where he was welcomed with the local custom of sacrificing a sheep. He was re-united with his former Bolton teammate Andranik Teymourian.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com.au/football/news/story/_/id/1006577/jlloyd-samuel-excited-after-signing-for-iranian-club-esteghlal|title=Samuel excited by Iranian challenge|date=9 January 2012|access-date=16 May 2018|publisher=ESPN|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516175313/http://www.espn.com.au/football/news/story/_/id/1006577/jlloyd-samuel-excited-after-signing-for-iranian-club-esteghlal|url-status=live}} Samuel played in midfield in Iran, and told Aston Villa's official website that he was enjoying being able to move forward and score goals. His team won the Hazfi Cup in his first season and the Iran Pro League a year later. Esteghlal reached the semi-finals of the 2013 AFC Champions League, in which he scored a goal in the second leg of the semi-finals at home to FC Seoul in a 2–2 draw (4–2 aggregate loss).{{cite news|title=FC Seoul makes AFC Champions League finals|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2013/10/03/69/0200000000AEN20131003001300315F.html|access-date=17 May 2018|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=3 October 2013|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517223749/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2013/10/03/69/0200000000AEN20131003001300315F.html|url-status=live}}

Samuel extended his contract with Esteghlal on 12 July 2013, keeping him at the club until 2014.{{cite web| url=http://www.fcesteghlal.ir/fa/news/39513| title=قرارداد ساموئل برای یک فصل دیگر تمدید شد| trans-title=Samuel extended his contract for another season| language=fa| publisher=Esteghlal F.C.| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916222115/http://www.fcesteghlal.ir/fa/news/39513 |archive-date=16 September 2013| url-status=dead}} He left the club in June 2014, citing a five-month pay dispute with the club.{{cite web|title=Jlloyd Samuel leaves Esteghlal after 5-month pay dispute|url=http://sport360.com/article/football/22602/jlloyd-samuel-leaves-esteghlal-after-5-month-pay-dispute|website=sport360.com|first=Jon|last=Turner|date=23 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|archive-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625045225/http://sport360.com/article/football/22602/jlloyd-samuel-leaves-esteghlal-after-5-month-pay-dispute|url-status=live}} He remained in Tehran and signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Paykan on 23 June 2014, effective 1 July.{{cite web|title=Samuel also joins Paykan|url=http://www.persianleague.com/the-news/1-latest-news/9050-samuel-also-joins-peykan.html|publisher=Persian League|date=24 June 2014|access-date=25 June 2014|archive-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626013226/http://www.persianleague.com/the-news/1-latest-news/9050-samuel-also-joins-peykan.html|url-status=live}}

After returning to England, Samuel trained with Egerton, a Cheshire League One (12th tier) club who had fellow ex-Premier League players Emile Heskey, Danny Webber, Emmerson Boyce and Nathan Ellington training with them.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Matt|title=Jlloyd Samuel & Nathan Ellington: Ex-Premier League players line up for non-league Egerton FC|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41846596|access-date=15 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=12 November 2017|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124090616/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41846596|url-status=live}} Despite offers to play abroad, he chose Egerton so that he could remain close to his family, and the chairman appointed him player-manager for the 2017–18 season.

When speaking to the BBC following Samuel's death, Ellington mentioned that his teammate had been involved in a large-scale regeneration project in The Gambia in his final years.

Samuel was called up for England in March 2004 whilst enjoying a spell of good form for Aston Villa and could have made his debut in the 1–0 friendly loss to Sweden if Sven-Göran Eriksson had selected him.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/3577473.stm|title=Sweden 1-0 England|work=BBC Sport|date=31 March 2004|access-date=28 October 2014|archive-date=20 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520050053/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/3577473.stm|url-status=live}} He had previously represented England at U-18, U-20 and U-21 level.{{cite web|url=http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/1197.html|title=Samuel, Jlloyd|website=Astonvillaplayerdatabase.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118002246/http://www.astonvillaplayerdatabase.com/1197.html|url-status=live}}

Later on, Samuuel wanted to represent Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but the application was rejected by FIFA. The rules in place at the time said that only players under the age of 21 could change their international allegiances.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4412024.stm|title=Samuel cannot play for Trinidad|work=BBC Sport|date=6 November 2005|access-date=2 May 2007|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306024647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4412024.stm|url-status=live}}

On 7 August 2009, it was revealed that Bobby Zamora and Samuel had received Trinidad and Tobago passports, making them eligible to play for the Soca Warriors.{{cite news |url=http://www.ttgapers.com/News/2009/8/8/zamora-and-samuel-get-trinidad-passports/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813131732/http://www.ttgapers.com/News/2009/8/8/zamora-and-samuel-get-trinidad-passports |archive-date=13 August 2009 |title=Zamora and Samuel get Trinidad passports |website=ttgapers.com|date=8 August 2009|access-date=3 December 2013}} He made his debut for Trinidad and Tobago on 5 September in a 4–1 loss away to Honduras in World Cup qualification and appeared for the second and last time four days later, receiving a yellow card in a 1–0 home loss to the United States.{{cite web|title=Samuel, Jlloyd|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/33278/Jlloyd_Samuel.html|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326141608/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/33278/Jlloyd_Samuel.html|url-status=live}}

Samuel was travelling home after taking his children to school on the morning of 15 May 2018 when his Range Rover collided with a van in High Legh, Cheshire. He died at the scene and the driver of the other vehicle was seriously injured. At the inquest in November 2019, it was revealed that Samuel was twice the drink-driving limit and that his car had strayed onto the wrong side of the road, causing a head-on crash.{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/footballer-jlloyd-samuel-was-too-badly-burnt-in-car-crash-to-id-inquest-hears-after-fake-death-claim-11870781|title=Footballer Jlloyd Samuel was too badly burnt in car crash to ID, inquest hears after fake death claim|work=Sky News|date=26 November 2019|access-date=6 April 2022|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406182037/https://news.sky.com/story/footballer-jlloyd-samuel-was-too-badly-burnt-in-car-crash-to-id-inquest-hears-after-fake-death-claim-11870781|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/18061995.inquest-held-footballer-jlloyd-samuel-died-head-on-crash-high-legh/|title=Inquest held into how footballer Jlloyd Samuel died in head-on crash in High Legh|work=Knutsford Guardian|date=26 November 2019|access-date=6 April 2022|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405133830/https://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/18061995.inquest-held-footballer-jlloyd-samuel-died-head-on-crash-high-legh/|url-status=live}}

Aston Villa wore black armbands for their Championship play-off match against Middlesbrough that night.{{cite news|title=Jlloyd Samuel: Former Aston Villa and Bolton defender dies in car crash|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44127716|access-date=15 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2018|archive-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515141814/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44127716|url-status=live}} His club at the time of his death, Egerton FC, cancelled all the remaining games that week as a mark of respect.{{cite news|title=Jlloyd Samuel: Tributes paid after former Aston Villa and Bolton defender dies in crash|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44131056|access-date=17 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2018|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516201238/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44131056|url-status=live}}

Samuel's body was burned so badly that he could only be identified by dental records and a blood sample that matched the DNA on his hairbrush. Before the inquest, his sister had accused his widow of faking his death, adding that the samples were not released for her to check against her own DNA. The coroner said that the samples remain the property of Samuel's widow.{{cite news |title=Jlloyd Samuel death: Footballer's body 'too burnt' for visual ID |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-50558218 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=BBC News |date=26 November 2019 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105213648/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-50558218 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Clare |first1=Henry |last2=Hainey |first2=Fionnula |title=Jlloyd Samuel inquest opens as sister demands DNA test to prove her claim he's still alive - despite court ruling |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/jlloyd-samuel-inquest-opens-sister-17320982 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=27 November 2019 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105204625/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/jlloyd-samuel-inquest-opens-sister-17320982 |url-status=live }}

Jlloyd Samuel was married to Emma and had three children with her, as well as a child from a previous relationship.{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Katie |title=Dawn Ward helps widow of Jlloyd Samuel left in 'big financial difficulty' by Premier League player's death |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/dawn-ward-helps-widow-jlloyd-15578154 |website=Manchester Evening News |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122112111/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/dawn-ward-helps-widow-jlloyd-15578154 |url-status=live }} His son Lakyle, born in 2006, is part of Manchester City's academy and captained England at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Sam |title=Manchester City's academy: The identifiable style that means all levels play like the first team |url=https://theathletic.com/2873998/2021/10/15/manchester-citys-academy-the-identifiable-style-that-means-all-levels-play-like-the-first-team/ |access-date=20 May 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=16 October 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520145853/https://theathletic.com/2873998/2021/10/15/manchester-citys-academy-the-identifiable-style-that-means-all-levels-play-like-the-first-team/ |url-status=live }} Samuel's life and death were covered in the 2022 ITVBe documentary The Footballer, His Wife, and the Crash.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Max |title=Collective Media Group scores ITV commissions brace |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production/collective-media-group-scores-itv-commissions-brace/5174661.article |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Broadcast |date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921121635/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production/collective-media-group-scores-itv-commissions-brace/5174661.article |url-status=live }} The documentary claimed he had a secret second wife in Iran, fashion designer Helia Sahimi, and that he had converted to Islam to marry her.{{cite news |last1=Tambini |first1=Natalie |title=Footballer Jlloyd Samuel: Did he fake his own death? Is he still alive? |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/footballer-jlloyd-samuel-did-he-fake-his-own-death-double-life-death/ |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Entertainment Daily |date=3 November 2022 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104204653/https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/footballer-jlloyd-samuel-did-he-fake-his-own-death-double-life-death/ |url-status=live }}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Aston Villa

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/3011199/Angel-carries-Villa-home.html |title=Angel carries Villa home |newspaper=Telegraph |date=21 August 2001 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912165638/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/3011199/Angel-carries-Villa-home.html |url-status=live }}

Esteghlal

• Hazfi Cup: 2011–12
• Iran Pro League: 2012–13

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120517202702/http://www.persianleague.com/teams.html?id=2316&view=player&sid=24 Jlloyd Samuel Stats] at PersianLeague.com
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{NFT|33278}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuel, Jlloyd}}

Category:1981 births

Category:2018 deaths

Category:Sportspeople from San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers

Category:21st-century Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen

Category:English people of Trinidad and Tobago descent

Category:Sportspeople of Trinidad and Tobago descent

Category:Senrab F.C. players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players

Category:Aston Villa F.C. players

Category:Gillingham F.C. players

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Category:Cardiff City F.C. players

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Category:Paykan F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

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Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:England men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's international footballers

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Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Iran

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Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:Road incident deaths in England

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Category:20th-century English sportsmen